How to remove rust from engine?

[bikemaniac]

Hi,

I bought myself a used non Model A engine which has both some rust, grease and old paint in various places. The engine is in full working order.

I would like to clean the outer parts of the engine, without taking the engine apart with the final aim of painting the engine. Thus I need I complete rustfree and clean surface.

Initially I was thinking of covering up all the holes with plugs and caps and sandblast the engine - but somehow many people advice against that option.

What is the best way for removing rust from an assembled engine?

Lucas

[Kevin in NJ]

Rule number 1 when sandblasting.

Sand can and will get everywhere, including places you did not think it could go.

[Tom Wesenberg]

The first engine I painted was the 235 that came in my 1955 Chevy. I wire brushed it and probably rinsed it with a parts cleaning brush and gas. I painted it white, and the paint stayed nice for the 3 years I had it before installing a 265. I don't think you will have to worry about the whole surface looking like a new casting. Rust can hold paint as long as it isn't deep flaking rust.

[CarlG]

Simple green & wire brush.

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

Once all the grease is off, wire brush(by hand and by drill) all loose rust, then phos pho the bare/rusted areas, wait 24hrs, and paint.

[rmonty1]

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X 2 on the Simple Green and wire brush.

I just de-greased the '29 I am working on, and used a product called Super Clean, from O'reilly's...comes in a purple 1 gal container....don't know if you have O'Reilly's where you are or not.....I sprayed it liberally on the engine, and the grease just started melting off in layers. It took all afternoon to get through all the layers, but every soaking yielded more and more engine block with 1 less layer of grease...

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Once the grease & grime is cleaned off, could this "maybe" be a candidate for the MOLASSES TREATMENT???---Or Vinegar???
Bill W.

[apbright]

I would add my voice to those against sandblasting the engine in-situ. I have done some open-room sandblasting on a Model A frame and other structural parts (actually used glass beads and aluminium oxide), and the sand went to infinity and beyond. I spent a week pulling bland media just out of my hair, and three months cleaning it out of the room. In principle, yes, if you mask off every hole and so-on then indeed everything would be fine, but between the radiator, steering column, carburettor, distributor... I just don't see how it could be done without covering those things in Play Doh. I'd go with wire brush. Good luck!

[Drive Shaft Dave]

Dont let a sandblaster anywhere near any engine.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Drive Shaft Dave

Dont let a sandblaster anywhere near any engine.

Dave,
If anyone ever lived in West Texas, they'd appreciate your comment. In a sandstorm, sand gets EVERYWHERE! In your SHEETS, on you TABLE, in the cupboards, in the oven & even in your EARS! Every couple of years, you have to scoop the sand out of your ATTIC, even. It'll even remove the shine from your cars' trim
Bill W.

[Rowdy]

Pressure washer and wire brush on a drill takes care of most of the problems. Rod

[40 Deluxe]

In other words, make liberal use of that old-time freebie: Elbow Grease!

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

In other words, make liberal use of that old-time freebie: Elbow Grease!

[Mike V. Florida]

Wire brush cone,

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by Rowdy

Pressure washer and wire brush on a drill takes care of most of the problems. Rod

x2 that's the route I would have taken

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Yo, ManiacBiker, good morning,
Once that Dude's clean, be real picky about masking & covering stuff with cheep plastic. Even a ROOKIE, like me, can do a PROFESSIONAL looking job, with a lot of care. We'll be waiting, with baited breath, for multiple PICS!
Bill W.

[C26Pinelake]

Pressure wash and see what you have left to deal with afterwards. It may not be as bad as you think. Wayne